a Sewar cross-dressing as a Badik?

[Moshah]

Thanks Detlef...

As Terengganu was basically a coastal country, it just make sense that the use of akar bahar are widely spread across it's region. Hence we have seen many akar bahar keris hilts in the "pipit teleng" or "anak ayam teleng" form - a hilt style associated with Terengganu's famous keris - the Keris Melela / Gelugor.

But again it would be nice to learn whether the Terengganu folks of the old days were really using this material, or it was a newfound trend instead, as older akar bahar hilts were hard to come by, even when the newer version was not that plenty...

However the link of Malay old folks beliefs and the akar bahar otherworldly myths was a good link on the practicality of its place as a hilt material of choice back then, as compared to the classic wooden hilts and ivories.

To me, as much as I loved abstract art, every akar bahar hilt was a surprise, a tell-tale pattern on styles that would never be the same, one after another.

[Moshah]

Hi guys,

I still puzzled by these two things;

1. the markings at the bolster of this badik - is that what the N.Malaysian people called as a "gat" - a talismanic symbol that usually found on their badiks?

2. The edge of this badik seems to have different, emm, "shades". If the true besi baja would be on the edge (which is the must in every case of badik and keris, I guess), then what kind of besi is in the upper part? As Kai have pointed out, it would be made of besi malela, which is basically a besi baja by itself, then did it not supposed to display the same gradient all over the blade?

You can see also that as the edge nearing the tip of the blade, the besi baja goes "berserk" i.e instead of the normal pitting of the besi baja, the structure goes hair-style upwards to the tip. Again, I am totally puzzled as of how it would have happened...

[kai]

Hello Moshah,

1. the markings at the bolster of this badik - is that what the N.Malaysian people called as a "gat" - a talismanic symbol that usually found on their badiks?

Your's looks very man-made to me - could it be leftovers of indentations from a vise or other holding implement?

2. The edge of this badik seems to have different, emm, "shades". If the true besi baja would be on the edge (which is the must in every case of badik and keris, I guess), then what kind of besi is in the upper part? As Kai have pointed out, it would be made of besi malela, which is basically a besi baja by itself, then did it not supposed to display the same gradient all over the blade?

This blade looks like the common sandwich construction to me: the hairy structure is the steel core exposed along the cutting edge while the smoother surface is from the outer layers. I'm not convinced the current staining does justice to the materials - I guess careful repolishing and warangan may result in showing the laminations much clearer; this doesn't look like besi malela to me - probably low contrast though.

Regards,
Kai

[Moshah]

Hi Kai,

Originally Posted by kai

Your's looks very man-made to me - could it be leftovers of indentations from a vise or other holding implement?

Yes I am thinking of the same, it should be a man-made. It looks like how they wrap the besi altogether to form the bolster. But if we are talking about holding instruments involved, I think we would see more of the same markings on many other badik as well.

Originally Posted by kai

This blade looks like the common sandwich construction to me: the hairy structure is the steel core exposed along the cutting edge while the smoother surface is from the outer layers. I'm not convinced the current staining does justice to the materials - I guess careful repolishing and warangan may result in showing the laminations much clearer; this doesn't look like besi malela to me - probably low contrast though.

Is it? I thought the steel core and the outer layers would form the same structure...Oh and I meant "besi melela" here was the type of besi that was used in the production of the keris melela of Terengganu - which I think would be a different version of besi malela of the Javanese kerisology context.

Thanks for the input, Kai.

[kai]

Hello Moshah,

Thanks for the additional pics!

It looks like the akar bahar got stabilized and a few cavities patched up? (Was quartz sand used as a filler?)

As Terengganu was basically a coastal country, it just make sense that the use of akar bahar are widely spread across it's region. Hence we have seen many akar bahar keris hilts in the "pipit teleng" or "anak ayam teleng" form - a hilt style associated with Terengganu's famous keris - the Keris Melela / Gelugor.

To me, as much as I loved abstract art, every akar bahar hilt was a surprise, a tell-tale pattern on styles that would never be the same, one after another.

That would make a great new thread, too! I have to admit that I can't claim having seen any number of old pipit teleng hilts made from AB.

The ideosyncracies of this organic material surely call for a very talented carver to make most out of each given piece!

Regards,
Kai

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by kai

It looks like the akar bahar got stabilized and a few cavities patched up? (Was quartz sand used as a filler?)

I sincerely think that is the classic way of patching the somewhat porous marine akar bahar material. However some examples were solid and need no patching at all...

Originally Posted by kai

That would make a great new thread, too! I have to admit that I can't claim having seen any number of old pipit teleng hilts made from AB.

I haven't see many of the old examples myself. I was told that older / antique akar bahar would be denser and solid, as those days it would comes in a bigger forms unlike today's akar bahar, where it has something to do with the declining habitat of the coral itself.

Perhaps Dave Henkel would hint us on the use of akar bahar of the N.Malaysian old world. Meanwhile, I posted a pix of a suspected aging akar bahar's badik hilt...

Regards,
Moshah

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

Meanwhile, I posted a pix of a suspected aging akar bahar's badik hilt...

What a beautiful hilt!

[kai]

Yup, really neat Terengganu piece, Moshah!

BTW, how old do you estimate the silverwork over the bolster and base of blade to be?

Regards,
Kai

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by kai

BTW, how old do you estimate the silverwork over the bolster and base of blade to be?

That was quite tricky, Kai.

Since you've asked, I don't think it was that old. The silver was rather thick, though. See few added pix and tell me whether you see it differently or not ...

On the other hand, my greatest worry is that the bolster and upper part of the badik would have been damaged beforehand, and this silver adornment was a repair idea...

I can not fathom that it was a special commission, which if it ever was, maybe Dave Henkel could throw in a few insights on it. Perhaps he has seen some other similar examples back then in N.Malaysia.

Regards,
Moshah

[kai]

Hello Moshah,

Since you've asked, I don't think it was that old. The silver was rather thick, though. See few added pix and tell me whether you see it differently or not ...

I agree: Looks like decent but possibly modern workmanship - maybe done sometime after WW2?

On the other hand, my greatest worry is that the bolster and upper part of the badik would have been damaged beforehand, and this silver adornment was a repair idea...

Those bolsters seem to be very sturdy - have seen only a few damaged examples and a piece with such a hilt is likely to have above average craftmanship as well as receiving decent maintenance. Thus, I guess you can put your worries at rest.

maybe Dave Henkel could throw in a few insights on it. Perhaps he has seen some other similar examples back then in N.Malaysia.

Yes, that would be great - we really need more info on traditional motifs on Terengganu silverwork!

Regards,
Kai

[Moshah]

Originally Posted by Sajen

What a beautiful hilt!

Thanks, Detlef.

Did it not that your nice akar bahar rentjong hilt that was in a thread you've posted recently, was an antique too?